Wild Earth Australia's Wild Chats Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wild Earth Australia
The Wild Earth Wild Chats series with Ben Southall features inspirational tales of adventure from trail runners, hikers, travellers and explorers all over the world.Wild Chats is a weekly IG Live series every Tuesday at 8.30pm AEST
In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Coree Woltering, whose athletic journey has taken him from the world of triathlons to the heart of the ultra running community.
Coree shares how his passion for the trails led him to pursue Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts and endurance challenges that push both body and mind. He opens up about his Ice Age Trail FKT—the obstacles he faced, the lessons learned about resilience, and the powerful role of community support throughout the journey.
They dive into the mental and physical preparation behind ultra events, the balance between competition and enjoyment, and the deeper meaning Coree finds in running for a cause. He also reflects on the simplicity and beauty of trail running, his close collaboration with sponsors, and his excitement for his upcoming race, the Blackhall 100.
Looking ahead, Coree shares his plans to return to shorter distances to sharpen his performance, all while staying grounded in the sense of connection that fuels his love for the sport.
This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the unbreakable spirit of the ultra running community.
🎙️ Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with ultra runner Buha Bali, whose journey has taken her from local races in Australia to competing on the world stage at the prestigious UTMB in Chamonix.
Buha opens up about the highs and lows of ultra running—how training, community support, and sheer determination play a role in preparing for some of the toughest endurance events on the planet. They dive into the mental and physical challenges of racing in the Alps, the importance of gear and technique, and the transformative moments found on the trails of the Pyrenees and beyond.
She reflects on the pre-race atmosphere, the nerves before the start line, and the resilience needed to overcome both physical and mental hurdles mid-race. Buha also shares her aspirations for future adventures and the lessons she’s carrying forward from Chamonix.
This is a conversation about perseverance, growth, and the love of pushing limits in the wild.
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the World of Ultra Running
02:43 The Journey to UTMB: From Local to Global
05:44 The Competitive Mindset: Embracing Opportunities
08:22 Preparing for the UTMB: Training and Challenges
11:30 The Role of Community in Trail Running
14:20 Training for the Alps: Overcoming Elevation Challenges
17:11 The Importance of Technique: Using Poles Effectively
20:01 Building a Support Network: The Role of Mentors
22:44 Choosing the Right Race: Finding Your Sweet Spot
25:44 Experiencing the UTMB: The Atmosphere and Community
28:52 Reality Check: Training in the Pyrenees
32:46 Facing the Challenges of Altitude
36:09 Understanding the Mountain's Power
38:02 Experiencing the Terrain and Conditions
39:45 Arrival in Chamonix: The Calm Before the Race
42:15 The Build-Up to the Race Day
47:07 Nerves and Pre-Race Rituals
50:41 The Journey to the Start Line
52:23 Imposter Syndrome and Personal Growth
55:33 The Emotional Journey of Racing
59:27 Overcoming Adversity in Extreme Conditions
01:05:04 The Finish Line: Triumph and Reflection
01:09:16 Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Training
Join Ben Southall as he delves into the exhilarating world of reality TV survival shows with adventurer Karla Pound. Discover the intense challenges and unexpected rewards of participating in shows like "Alone" and "Million Dollar Island." From battling hunger and isolation to forming lifelong friendships, Karla shares her unique insights and experiences. Tune in to explore the raw authenticity and personal growth that come with surviving in the wild. Don't miss this captivating episode of Wild Earth Australia's Wild Chats!
In this episode of Wild Chats, Ben Southall sits down with long-distance adventurer Alex Campbell, who’s been walking around the world for over two years. From the steppes of Central Asia to the roads of South America, Alex opens up about the mindset needed for such an epic journey and why packing light is more than just a gear decision.
They dive into the mental and physical challenges of life on foot, the kindness of strangers, and how choosing the right season can be a lifesaver. Alex shares how documenting his walk on social media has helped build community and amplify his mission: raising funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation to end avoidable blindness.
This is a conversation about exploration, personal growth, and the power of saying yes to the unknown.
Connect with Alex on Instagram @alexander_campbell
Donate to his Fred Hollows fund.
Find out more about his adventures www.worldwalkexpedition.com
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Adventure Walking
05:27 The Call of the Wild: Early Influences and Experiences
11:11 Inspiration from Other Adventurers
16:41 Gear Essentials for Long-Distance Walking
22:03 Planning the Journey: A Walk Through Australia
31:20 Cultural Experiences: Hospitality on the Road
40:07 Giving Back: The Fred Hollows Foundation
46:10 Balancing Work and Travel
50:46 The Pamir Highway Experience
57:11 Defining the Traveler's Identity
Before sat-nav, internet, and mobile phones, there was Elspeth Beard, a 23-year-old architecture student who set off to ride her motorcycle around the world. In this episode of Wild Chats, Elspeth shares the highs and lows of her pioneering solo journey across continents in the early 1980s.
Host Ben Southall dives deep into Elspeth’s story: the spark that ignited her adventure, the obstacles she faced as a woman on the road, and the transformative encounters that shaped her perspective on life. From mechanical failures and border crossings to life lessons and cultural insights, Elspeth’s tales are equal parts grit and grace.
She also reflects on how travel has changed over the decades, why embracing the unknown is vital, and how her epic ride influenced her work as an award-winning architect.
If you’ve ever dreamt of hitting the road less traveled, this episode is your permission slip.
Connect with Elspeth on Instagram @elspethbeard
Check out Elspeth's website.
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Adventure and Exploration
06:35 The Spirit of Spontaneity in Travel
14:09 The Catalyst for a Global Journey
21:21 The Journey Begins: Setting Off on the Road
26:28 Encounters and Conversations on the Road
31:51 Challenges of the Outback Adventure
37:48 Navigating Through Australia and Beyond
45:48 Cultural Encounters: Riding Through India and Beyond
51:53 Navigating Iran: A Journey Through a Closed Country
01:00:37 Life After the Journey: New Beginnings and Challenges
01:07:01 The Evolution of Storytelling: From Diaries to Social Media
From learning plant medicine in her grandmother’s garden in Peru to exploring the boiling rivers of the Amazon, Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza is redefining what it means to protect and understand our planet.
In this episode of Wild Chats, Rosa shares how traditional knowledge and cutting-edge science can work together to unlock new solutions for health and conservation. We dive into the world of microbes, stingless bees, citizen science, and how storytelling can inspire real action for the Amazon.
If you’re passionate about sustainability, culture, and the wild magic of the natural world, this conversation will light a fire in you. 🌿
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Follow Dr. Rosa on Instagram at @rosavespinoza & www.rosavespinoza.com
In this episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall sits down with Australian mountaineer Oliver Foran to explore his powerful journey from the footy fields of Brisbane to the world’s highest peaks. Ollie opens up about the personal loss that changed his life, how he discovered a love for the mountains, and the mental and physical challenges of high-altitude expeditions.
From summiting Island Peak to taking on the technical terrain of Ama Dablam, Ollie shares raw stories of resilience, fear, and triumph and how the mountains have become both a calling and a cause. With Everest on the horizon, he reflects on his deeper mission: raising awareness and funds for brain cancer research in honour of his late uncle.
If you’re drawn to big goals, personal transformation, and the mindset it takes to push beyond your limits, this episode is a must-listen.
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Follow Oliver on Instagram at @oliverforan
Connect with Wild Earth at @wildearthaustralia and explore the gear Ollie uses at wildearth.com.au.
In this powerful episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall sits down with explorer and climate advocate Geoff Wilson to talk all things adventure, sustainability, and the future of our planet. Geoff shares the highs and lows of his Project Zero expedition, a groundbreaking mission to complete carbon-neutral exploration through some of the planet's harshest environments.
From navigating the globe aboard the Nanook to riding horses across Icelandic glaciers, Geoff opens up about the physical and emotional challenges of the journey, including the unique experience of working with his son Kit. This episode explores the importance of responsible exploration, crew dynamics, and storytelling as a tool to raise awareness about the realities of climate change.
If you're passionate about sustainability, adventure, and protecting wild places, this conversation is filled with honest insights, incredible stories, and a call to action to fall back in love with our natural world.
🎧 Listen now
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia.
Follow Project Zero on Instagram and track their progress on their website.
Connect with Geoff on Instagram.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Project Zero
03:01 The Journey of Nanook
06:02 Svalbard Expedition Overview
08:52 The Challenges of Arctic Exploration
11:56 The Iceland Journey
14:56 Navigating Customs and Politics
17:59 The Concept of Project Zero
21:09 Crew Dynamics and Challenges
24:02 Father-Son Relationship on the Journey
24:52 The Impact of Climate Change
27:25 Individual Responsibility in Climate Action
30:36 Gear and Equipment for Harsh Environments
35:08 Nutrition and Sustenance on Expeditions
36:34 Future of Exploration and Storytelling
38:33 Safety Measures in Polar Regions
41:22 Human Impact on Oceans
42:46 Tracking the Expedition
Join host Ben Southall in this unforgettable episode of Wild Chats as he sits down with adventurer, filmmaker, and storyteller Beau Miles. Known for his offbeat adventures and DIY ethos, Beau shares how a life of kayaking, running, filmmaking, and fatherhood has shaped his creative journey.
This episode dives into Beau's love for craftsmanship, his commitment to sustainability, and how solitude fuels his storytelling. From building boats and running marathons in his backyard to navigating the chaos of parenthood, Beau reflects on how embracing the unknown leads to the most meaningful experiences.
Whether you're a filmmaker, weekend adventurer, or just craving more creativity in your life, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humour, and inspiration to live life a little differently.
🎧 Listen now.
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth Australia
Connect with Beau Miles on YouTube & Instagram
Buy his book The Backyard Adventurer.
Join host Ben Southall as he chats with gut health expert and outdoor enthusiast Kirsty Wirth. Kirsty opens up about her transformative journey from curiosity-driven explorer to passionate advocate for gut health and holistic wellness. Together, they dive into the powerful connections between gut health, outdoor adventures, and overall well-being.
Discover how Kirsty's personal experiences, particularly navigating her son's health challenges, led her to establish Kultured Wellness and become an expert on the vital role gut health plays in resilience, endurance, and athletic performance. This episode is packed with practical tips on integrating nutritious fermented foods into your adventure routines and managing wellness on the trail.
From parenting and solo travel to preparing physically and mentally for the challenges of outdoor adventures, this conversation offers valuable insights, inspiring personal stories, and actionable advice for anyone looking to elevate their health and embrace a life of adventure.
Follow Kirsty Wirth on Instagram and keep up to date with Kultured Wellness.
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth.
In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with Cam Bostock, an outdoor adventurer and content creator, to dive deep into his journey from a childhood spent exploring the outdoors in Perth, Australia, to rediscovering his passion for nature after years of gaming and introversion.
Cam shares how hiking became a transformative force in his life, improving his mental and physical well-being. He takes us through his experiences on some of the world’s most iconic trails, including New Zealand’s Te Araroa and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and opens up about the challenges he faced—from harsh weather and rugged terrain to wildfires.
Whether you're an avid hiker, an aspiring content creator, or just looking for adventure inspiration, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real-life stories from the trail.
Follow Cam on Instagram and keep up to date with Optiventure.
https://www.instagram.com/optiventure.co/
https://www.instagram.com/cambostock/
Hosted by Ben Southall from Best Life Adventures & Wild Earth.
In this episode, Ben Southall sits down with Sophie Matterson, an adventurer who took on the ultimate solo challenge—trekking 5,000km across Australia, from Shark Bay (WA) to Byron Bay (NSW), with only camels for company.
Sophie shares how she went from a novice hiker to a seasoned trekker, navigating the harsh realities of the Australian outback. She reflects on her deep bond with her camels & the lessons they taught her. The mental & physical challenges of long-distance solo travel. Adapting to extreme landscapes & the unpredictable elements and the transition from solitude to civilization & how it changed her life.
This conversation is a raw and inspiring look at resilience, adventure, and the profound connection between humans and animals in the wild.
Find Sophie on www.sophiematterson.com
Instagram @sophiematterson
Grab a copy of Sophie’s book ‘The Crossing: A memoir of love, adventure and finding your own path
'The Crossing is as profound as it is moving - a tapestry of adventure, love and, of course, camels.' Tim Cope, author of On the Trail of Genghis Khan
Hosted by Best Life Adventures and Wild Earth
https://bestlifeadventures.com
https://www.wildearth.com.au
In this episode of Wild Chats, host Ben Southall speaks with Thor Pedersen, the first person EVER to visit every country in the world without flying. Thor shares his unique journey, starting from his early life in Denmark, through military service, and into his ambitious project called 'Once Upon a Saga.' He discusses the challenges he faced while traveling across continents, the importance of cultural exchange, and the lessons learned from his experiences. The conversation highlights the beauty of travel, the connections made along the way, and the significance of storytelling in sharing these adventures.
THOR PEDERSEN is the only person in history to have
reached every country in the world completely without
flying. The project, named Once Upon A Saga, was initially
planned to take just four years but ended up taking nearly
a decade due to unforeseen challenges such as visa issues,
political unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic. On May
23rd, 2023, Pedersen reached the final country, Maldives,
completing the project and claiming world history.
@onceuponasaga | Thorpedersen.dk
For all press enquiries please contact:
Henry.Lord@littlebrown.co.uk
Keywords:
travel, adventure, exploration, Thor Pedersen, Once Upon a Saga, military service, United Nations, global travel, storytelling, cultural exchange, wild earth, best life adventures
Dr Geoff Wilson and his crew at @projectzero_earth have voyaged across oceans on their first leg of Project Zero - a carbon-neutral expedition to explore the impacts of climate change in the most remote corners of the planet.
Listen to Geoff recount the rough seas, polar hurricanes, crossing the Southern Icefields of Patagonia and the wonders of Antarctica.
Find out more about Project Zero here: https://www.projectzero.earth/
Listen to @heykiera_ and @floriano_esse share the learnings from their first European bikepacking tour 1,900km along the Marco Polo trail. They biked all the way from Venice (ALMOST) to Athens!
Sam Weirshares some of his epic endurance and ultra adventures along with tips on mindset, training and gear! 👌
David King aka @dingo_darbo on Instagram joins Ben Southall to share his passion for country, his knowledge of Aboriginal culture and land management along with tips on how to adventure respectfully in the wild!
Find out more about him here: https://davidkingbluemountains.com/about
This week Sarah shares some serious ultra-running inspiration from her one-million-acre station in far North West Queensland! We apologise for the tech issues as this one did drop in and out a few times but hang in there it’s worth it!
Sarah is a Wild Earth Ambassador and Athlete. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahloufoster14
Jackson Groves is an Aussie adventure traveller who has been on the road for six years creating adventure travel guides featuring hikes, waterfalls, beaches, mountains & adrenaline activities. He shares his tips on solo adventure travel, how to plan a trip as well as how to get into travel blogging with Ben Southall.
He's currently on a 1.5-month backpacking and hiking trip around the Philippines, carrying only what he can fit into two bags attached to his bike.
Follow more of his adventures on Instagram @jackson.groves
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JacksonGroves
Website: https://www.journeyera.com/
Episode #3 of #WildChats with Aaron Shanks from Diaries of the Wild Ones podcast.
This week Aaron shares some serious travel inspiration and wild adventures from trekking South America, a close call mountaineering and surfing in the arctic of Iceland to hitchhiking on a Yacht with Sage Jeffries in the Percy Islands.
You can find his podcast Diaries Of The Wild Ones on @spotify and his recent adventures on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/TheMerTheMan
Wild Chats is a weekly IG Live series every Tuesday at 8.30pm AEST hosted by @bensouthall, Wild Earth ambassador, global explorer and founder of @bestlifeadventures.
Episode #2 of #WildChats with @bensouthall and @henkmorgans.
This week Henk shares how he found his wild side along with some big adventures here and overseas. Get the run down on the best gear for the job and how to get started.
Wild Chats is a weekly IG Live series every Tuesday at 8.30pm AEST hosted by @bensouthall, Wild Earth ambassador, global explorer and founder of @bestlifeadventures.
Episode 1 of Wild Chats with Polar Explorer Geoff Wilson tuning in from above the arctic circle in the Lofoten Islands, Norway!
Geoff shares his story about how he got into outdoor exploration, his knowledge on how to survive and much more!